Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers walks off the court after their 82-72 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 13, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee. (File Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors went from great to staggering by signing free-agent forward Kevin Durant, and with everyone else in the Western Conference chasing them, it’s fair to wonder what teams can do to catch them.

The Clippers, along with the San Antonio Spurs, probably represent the most serious threats, though the Clippers return a core that’s never made it past the second round of the postseason.

With this a backdrop, it’s easy to understand why rumors about the Clippers’ interest in breaking up their core trio of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan continue to persist.

But this rumor? This one doesn’t make a ton of sense.

The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney reported that the Celtics have targeted Griffin, and the expectation among NBA front office types in Las Vegas is that Boston will get something done soon.

Deveney reports that a three-team trade sending Griffin to the Celtics and Sacramento’s Rudy Gay to the Clippers has “emerged” as a possibility.

Would the Clippers make that kind of move?

If they do have interest in Gay, it would represent a major pivot in their line of thinking regarding a Griffin trade — one management doesn’t feel it has to make.

While Griffin can opt out of his contract at the end of next season, he can make more money and sign for more years with the Clippers than any other team. And, as a member of the Clippers, Griffin has seen his star rise to the level of national pitchman.

The bigger question for the Clippers is whether a Griffin-Paul-Jordan core is good enough to get them past the cusp of the conference finals.

The 27-year-old Griffin is probably the player who would return the most value in a trade, with four All-NBA appearances in the last five seasons.

After four years without injuries, Griffin has missed time the last two seasons with a staph infection, a torn quad tendon and a broken hand.

But, when he’s been on the court, he’s been incredibly productive. In 35 games this season, Griffin averaged 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists.

Acquiring Gay and draft picks, even Boston’s valuable future picks acquired from Brooklyn, don’t fit the Clippers’ plan for continued contention in the West.

The Clippers don’t seem interested in cutting loose a star; earlier this summer, they met with Kevin Durant with the hope of adding him as the fourth star in their mix.

Doc Rivers, the Clippers coach and president of basketball operations proclaimed that the Clippers weren’t trading Griffin before last season’s trade deadline. The moves he’s made this summer, re-signing veterans like Jamal Crawford and Wesley Johnson signal the Clippers’ commitment to winning now.

If the Clippers could swap Griffin for one of the NBA’s elite two-way wing players or a package of players no team could refuse, perhaps their thinking would change.

For now, though, the Clippers are on the path of trying to bolster the core they already have.

Clippers agree with Felton, sign Stone

The Clippers and veteran point guard Raymond Felton have agreed to a deal for the veteran’s minimum, worth more than $1.55 million next season.

Felton, 32, spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, getting his career back on track last season as a valuable member of the Dallas bench. In 80 games (31 starts), Felton averaged 9.5 points and 3.6 assists.

The Clippers also signed second-round draft pick Diamond Stone, the team announced.

The deal, which, according to a source, includes two years of guaranteed salaries, was first reported by The Register.

The Clippers selected Stone, a freshman center from Maryland, with the No. 40 selection last month. In his lone year with the Terrapins, Stone averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots. He also scored a Maryland freshman record with 39 points in a game in late December.

During summer league in Orlando, Stone averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds.

The moves get the Clippers roster to 15, counting Paul Pierce, who could retire, and Branden Dawson, whose contract isn’t guaranteed.

Felton’s agreement with the Clippers could mean the team stashes second-round pick David Michineau overseas or in the NBA’s D-League, maintaining his rights but keeping him off the roster.

Wilcox traded to Magic

The Clippers agreed to send C.J. Wilcox and cash to the Orlando Magic for a 2020 second-round pick and Devyn Marble, who is expected to be waived.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the deal was being finalized.

Marble’s $980,431 contract won’t count against the Clippers salary cap as long as they waive him Friday #today for print#, giving the team flexibility to add another play for the veteran’s minimum.

Wilcox played 44 games for the Clippers after being the team’s first-round pick in 2014.

He recently underwent surgery after breaking his right hand during the Orlando Summer League.

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